Phalaenopsis orchid plant named &#39;eternal flame&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘Eternal Flame’ particularly characterized by flowers which are purple/violet with a purple labellum; plants which may be propagated economically and uniformly using tissue culture; plants which produce more than one inflorescence; long and sturdy inflorescences; and relatively short, dark-green foliage.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Phalaenopsis hybrida.

Variety denomination: ‘Eternal Flame’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Phalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis of the Orchidaceae family, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Eternal Flame’.

Phalaenopsis comprises a genus of about 55 species of herbaceous perennials many of which, or the hybrids thereof, are suitable for cultivation in the home or greenhouse. Phalaenopsis is predominantly epiphytic or rock-dwelling, and is native to tropical Asia, the Malay Archipelago, and Oceania. The species typically has 2-ranked, fleshy, oblong or elliptic leaves affixed to a short central stem (monopodial growth), which vary in size from 5 to 8 inches to over 2 feet. The leaves may be entirely green or mottled with silver grey.

Phalaenopsis orchids, often referred to as ‘Moth Orchids’ in the horticultural trade, are frequently used to furnish cut flowers for the florist trade or sold as flowering potted-plants for home or interiorscape.

Phalaenopsis produces upright or pendent lateral racemes, often with many showy flowers which open in succession beginning with the lowermost. The flowers possess three sepals and three petals; the lateral ones being alike. The lowermost petal, called the labellum, is three-lobed and is often more brightly-colored than the other flower segments. Flower colors include various shades of pink, white, yellow and red-brown.

Phalaenopsis orchids are typically propagated from seeds. Asexual propagation of Phalaenopsis is often done from off-shoots which frequently arise from the lower bracts of the inflorescence. The resulting plants are detached from the mother plant and may be planted in a suitable substrate.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Eternal Flame’ is a product of a controlled breeding program conducted by the inventor, René Schoone, in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program was to develop a new Phalaenopsis cultivar particularly characterized by its attractive and unique colored flowers, economical propagation via tissue culture, rapid growth, and a plant dimension suitable for packaging and shipping to the market.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Eternal Flame’ originated from a cross made by the inventor in 2004 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The female or seed parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivar designated ‘Fidelio’, unpatented. The male or pollen parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivar designated ‘362001’, unpatented. The new Phalaenopsis ‘Eternal Flame’ was discovered and selected by the inventor as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in 2012 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis cultivar by tissue culture (mericloning) was first performed in November, 2012 in Cieweg 13, Heemskerk, The

Netherlands, and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar asexually reproduces true-to-type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘Eternal Flame’, which in combination distinguish this Phalaenopsis as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. flowers which are purple/violet with a purple labellum;     -   2. plant produces more than one inflorescence;     -   3. plants may be propagated economically and uniformly using         tissue culture;     -   4. inflorescences are long and sturdy; and     -   5. relatively short, dark-green foliage.         In comparison with the parental cultivars of ‘Eternal Flame’,         the female parent ‘Fidelio’ has larger flowers and is         purple/violet with a white mark in the center. The male parent         ‘362001’ has smaller flowers and is darker purple/violet and has         a dark purple/violet labellum, whereas the flowers of ‘Eternal         Flame’ are purple/violet with a white haze in the center and a         dark purple labellum.         Presently, the commercial cultivar to which ‘Eternal Flame’ can         be meaningfully compared is ‘Tigris’. The flowers of ‘Tigris’         are darker purple/violet with a white mark at the center,         whereas the flowers of ‘Eternal Flame’ are purple/violet with         small white edges. Also the labellum differs in shape and the         labellum of ‘Eternal Flame’ is darker in color.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Phalaenopsis ‘Eternal Flame’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of ‘Eternal Flame’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective of a typical flowering plant of ‘Eternal Flame’ in a 12 cm pot, at 16 months of age.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of the typical flower of ‘Eternal Flame’.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the typical leaves of ‘Eternal Flame’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘Eternal Flame’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe plants of ‘Eternal Flame’ as grown in a greenhouse in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands, under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. Initially, the ideal temperature to grow plants of ‘Eternal Flame’ is 27° C. during the day and at night. Then, during the flowering phase of ‘Eternal Flame’, the ideal growing temperature is 20-22° C. during the day and 18° C. at night. Light levels for growing ‘Eternal Flame’ are a minimum of 5,000 lux and a maximum of 10,000 lux. A balanced fertilizer with level of 200 ppm N, 87 ppm P, 168 ppm K is applied. Duration of growth of ‘Eternal Flame’ from potting size is between 10 and 14 months.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), 2007 edition, except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditions at approximately noon in Zaandammerweg, Assendelft, The Netherlands. The age of the ‘Eternal Flame’ plants described is 12 months after potting.

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrida. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female or seed parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated             ‘Fidelio’, unpatented.         -   Male or pollen parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated             ‘362001’, unpatented. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Tissue culture.         -   Rooting habit and description.—Fleshy; approximately 5 mm-8             mm wide and greyed/green in color (RHS 190B); freely             branching. It takes 12 weeks for plants growing in tissue             culture to initiate roots. -   Plant:     -   -   Size at maturity.—Height (from bottom of pot to highest             flower): about 60 cm. Spread: about 50 cm.         -   Growth habit.—Standard; green leaves (RHS N137A) and a             relatively normal raceme.         -   Vigor.—Moderate.         -   Crop time.—Following asexual propagation, at about 26 weeks             2 leaves appear; at about 30 weeks 3-4 leaves appear; after             a cold treatment of about 4-8 weeks at a temperature of             about 19° C. about 1-2 racemes with flowers appear. -   Foliage:     -   -   Quantity per plant.—About 6-8 leaves are produced before             flowering.         -   Arrangement and attachment.—Half up/horizontal and on two             sides.         -   Overall shape of leaf.—Oval; the tip is blunt and             asymmetric.         -   Texture (upper & underside).—Smooth and leathery.         -   Pubescence.—None.         -   Mature leaf length.—About 20 cm.         -   Mature leaf width.—About 7 cm.         -   Mature leaf thickness.—About 2 mm.         -   Mature leaf color.—Upper side: green (RHS N137A). Under             side: green (RHS 137B) with a little brown (RHS 200A).         -   Leaf base.—Acute.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Venation.—Pattern: parallel. Color of midvein: upper side:             green (RHS N137A). under side: green (RHS 137D). -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendant, racemose             inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open             in succession beginning with the lowermost flower. -   Raceme:     -   -   Quantity per plant.—About 2.         -   Number of flowers per raceme.—About 10.         -   Length.—About 35 cm.         -   Diameter.—About 4 mm. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Length.—About 25 cm.         -   Diameter.—About 4 mm.         -   Strength.—Strong.         -   Aspect.—Upright.         -   Texture.—Glabrous and smooth.         -   Color.—Green (RHS N137A) with green (RHS 138C).         -   Buds.—Height (from base to tip): about 20 mm. Diameter (at             midpoint): about 20 mm. Shape: asymmetric oval. Color:             red/purple (RHS 71A) with a yellow/green haze (RHS 145B).             Orientation: same as flowers (forward facing).         -   Flowering time.—For an untreated plant (flowering plant that             has not undergone cold-treatment where the plant grows at a             temperature of 18° C. to 19° C. for about 4 to 8 weeks after             a period of about 30 weeks at a temperature of 25° C.), 1-2             racemes appear with flower buds and flowers. First flowers             can be expected approximately 4 to 6 months after planting a             plant with a leaf diameter of 3 to 5 cm. Flowers persistent.         -   Flowering longevity.—On the plant: about 4 to 6 months;             lastingness of cut flowers: has not been observed.         -   Fragrance.—No fragrance.         -   Flower.—Rate of opening: Flowers fully opened about 2 to 3             days after petal and sepal separation. Orientation at             opening: slanted upward and outward. Shape: Typical shape of             Phalaenopsis; see FIG. 2. Size (of single bloom): Height:             about 80 mm. Diameter: about 85 mm. Quantity and             arrangement: three petals and three sepals that are             trimerous, overlapping and arranged in 2 whorls. Petals are             more pronounced than sepals.         -   Petals.—Arrangement: Inner whorl comprises 3 petals: 2             lateral petals and a labellum. 2 lateral petals: Overall             shape: broadly ovate and weakly cupped. Apex: round. Margin:             entire and weakly undulate. Base: broadly ovate. Length:             about 55 mm. Width: about 45 mm. Texture: Upper surface:             smooth and satiny. Under surface: smooth and satiny. Color             (when fully opened): upper side: Main color is purple/violet             (a combination of RHS N80A and RHS N80B). At the base a             white haze (RHS N155B) and some white spots (RHS N155B).             Also small white edges (RHS NN155D). Under side: purple             violet (RHS N80C with some RHS N80B) with a white haze (RHS             NN155D). Labellum: Overall shape: 3-lobed with 2 prominent             callosities at central junction of the lateral lobes and             base of the midlobe. Lateral lobes of labellum fold upward             about the column; the midlobe extends forward and is             terminated by 2 appendages at the apex. Lateral lobes of the             labellum are ovate in shape while the midlobe is triangular             with a bump and a rib on it. Margin: entire and weakly             undulate. Apex of the midlobe and lateral lobes: oval.             Length midlobe: about 25 mm. Width midlobe (not flattened):             about 20 mm. Length lateral lobe: about 20 mm. Width lateral             lobe (not flattened): about 18 mm. Depth of tube created by             lateral lobes of labellum: about 18 mm. Texture: Upper &             under surface: smooth and satiny. Color (when fully opened):             Midlobe, upper side: Main color is purple (RHS N78A). At the             base some red/purple (RHS 71A). In the center a white haze             (RHS NN155D). In the center a purple line (RHS N79A). Under             side: Main color is purple (RHS N78A). White in the center             (RHS NN155D). In the corners some red/purple (RHS 71A).             Lateral lobes, upper side: Main color is purple/violet             (combination of RHS N81A and RHS N81B). At the base white             (RHS NN155D) with red/purple stripes (RHS 59A). Also at the             base a yellow haze (RHS 9D). At lower edge some red/purple             (RHS 59A). Under side: Main color is purple/violet (RHS             N81B). At lower edge some red/purple (RHS 71A). At the             center white (RHS NN155C) with a light yellow haze (RHS 8D).             Cirrhi: about 16 mm. color: purple (RHS N79A and RHS N79B).             Pestle (Callosities): Length: about 5 mm. Width (not             flattened): about 6 mm. Color: yellow (RHS 8A) with             red/purple stripes/spots (RHS 59A) and yellow at the sides             (RHS 8D).         -   Sepals.—Arrangement: Outer whorl comprises 3 sepals, one             dorsal and two lateral sepals. Overall shape: elliptical and             weakly cupped. Margin: entire and weakly undulate. Length:             about 45 mm. Width: about 30 mm. Apex: oval. Texture: Upper             and under surface: smooth and satiny. Color (when fully             opened): Upper side, dorsal: Main color is purple/violet (a             combination of RHS N80A and RHS N80B). At the base some             white (RHS N155B) and some small white spots (RHS N155C).             Also small white edges (RHS NN155B). Lateral: Main color is             purple/violet (a combination of RHS N80A and RHS N80B). At             the base some white (RHS 155C) with purple spots (RHS 77A).             Under side, dorsal: purple/violet (RHS N80C) with some             purple/violet spots (RHS N80B) and a white haze (RHS             NN155B). Lateral: purple/violet (RHS N80B) with at the base             some white (RHS N155C) and a yellow/green haze (RHS 145D).         -   Pedicel.—Length: about 3.5 cm. Diameter: about 3 mm.             Texture: glabrous and smooth. Color: purple/violet (RHS             N80D) with some white (RHS NN155D) which runs into             yellow/green (RHS 145C and RHS 146D). -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Arrangement.—The stamens, style and stigmas are fused into a             single, short structure called the column, possessing one             terminal anther with pollen grains united into a pollinia,             which are covered by an anther cap. The stigma is located             under the column behind the pollinia. The ovary is inferior             with three carpels present. The plant has not produced seed.         -   Column.—Length: about 1 cm. Diameter: about 5 mm. Color:             purple/violet (RHS N80B and RHS N80C).         -   Pollinia.—Quantity: two. Diameter: about 2 mm. Color:             yellow/orange (RHS 23A).         -   Ovary.—Length: about 4 mm. Diameter: about 3 mm. Color:             white (RHS NN155D). -   Disease/pest resistance/susceptibility: No specific resistance or     susceptibility observed. -   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to a low temperature of about 15° C.     and to a high temperature about 30° C.     Atty. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named ‘Eternal Flame’, as illustrated and described herein. 